Gandhinagar: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel today held a high-level meeting at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in the state capital here to review Gujarat’s alertness and preparedness as a border state amid the prevailing tension between India and Pakistan.

Given the high alert in Gujarat’s districts connected to Pakistan by sea, land, and air borders, the CM conducted a video conference with the administration, police, and senior district officials to get details of the security and safety arrangements being put in place in these districts, an official statement said.

In the presence of Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi and Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi, CM reviewed the overall situation in the state, along with the border districts. The CM directed that control rooms and emergency operation centers across all districts remain operational 24/7. He emphasized the need to explore alternative communication methods, such as hotlines and satellite phones, to ensure continuous communication during emergencies. In the meeting, the chief minister ordered the activation of the evacuation plan for border villages in the affected districts. He highlighted the need for civil defense readiness, identifying safe shelters, and ensuring sufficient supplies of water, food, and other essentials, the official statement further said.

The Chief Minister advised the district administration to gather sufficient quantities of essential commodities and fuels (petrol and diesel) as a precautionary measure to prevent any supply disruptions. Additionally, the CM instructed the Health and Transport Departments to be fully prepared with the necessary arrangements and personnel to address any situations. The Chief Minister directed district heads to identify sensitive areas and evaluate the arrangements for mobilization and issuing warnings. He suggested launching a public awareness campaign to curb panic, prevent false fears, and stop the spread of rumours. People were asked to stay informed through the official social media platforms of government departments for updates and instructions. The CM directed that if any information regarding suspicious activities, objects, or people is received, especially in border areas or villages, the administration must be on high alert and take immediate action.

The statement also stated that the Chief Minister praised the vigilant efforts of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, BSF, and other central agencies, assuring them of prompt assistance from the state government as required.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister M K Das, Director General of Police Vikas Sahay, Additional Chief Secretaries of Revenue and Energy, Principal Secretaries from departments including Urban Development, Industry, Water Supply, Civil Supplies, Transport, and Disaster Management, Secretary to the Chief Minister Avantika Singh, as well as the Air Force, the Army, and the BSF officials.

Tensions between India and Pakistan remain high following India’s precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. DeshGujarat